Date:	Friday, April 12, 2024
District:	05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:	Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers
Phone:	(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE #5

UPDATED ESTIMATES FOR REOPENINGS OF THREE SLIDES ON HIGHWAY 1

MONTEREY COUNTY – Crews continue to make progress with repairs at three major slides on Highway 1, the first of which is located some six miles south of Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park.

The Dolan Point Slide (Post Mile 29.5) is the northernmost of the three slides. Due to additional measures being required for rockfall mitigation, Highway 1 at the Dolan Point Slide is now estimated to reopen in mid-May. Next week, crews will blast large rocks on the slope above the roadway which were exposed when debris material was removed. The reopening will follow installation of a cable net drapery system over the face of the slope above the roadway.

Repairs at Regent’s Slide (PM 27.8) are still expected to be completed 100 working days after crews initiate repairs. All environmental clearances are nearing approval, and with the approach of drier weather conditions, a start date is feasible within the next three weeks. Given these conditions the estimate for reopening Highway 1 at Regent’s Slide is early fall of this year.

Due to delays caused by the 2024 winter storms and additional slide locations along the coastal highway, it is now estimated that Highway 1 at Paul’s Slide (PM 22) will reopen in summer 2024. Crews are making cuts in the slope to prepare for final alignment of the roadway. Survey and design of the final alignment, installation of new drainage systems, and preparation for roadway reconstruction will also begin in the coming weeks.

Daily convoys continue through Paul’s Slide and a midday convoy has been added. In order to allow for students north of Paul’s Slide to attend a full school day, a new convoy schedule will be in effect starting Monday April 15, with convoys at 7:45 am, 1 pm, and 4:15 pm.

Note that as roadway construction and drainage installations accelerate in the coming weeks, it is anticipated that the 1 pmconvoy may be eliminated so that the final push to reopen the roadway can proceed with minimal stoppages.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5, Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.

Date:	Friday, April 12, 2024
District:	05 – Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz Counties
Contact:	Kevin Drabinski or Jim Shivers
Phone:	(805) 549-3138 or (805) 549-3237

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE #11

CALTRANS ANTICIPATES HIGHWAY 1 STABILIZATION WORK AT ROCKY CREEK TO BE COMPLETED BY MEMORIAL DAY

This will mark the end of convoys, beginning of signalized traffic control

MONTEREY COUNTY – Caltrans today announced it anticipates completing the initial repair work to stabilize the edge of Highway 1south of the Rocky Creek Bridge by Memorial Day, May 27. This would mark the end of the current convoys and allow alternating one-way traffic through the area without an escort using 24/7 signalized traffic control.

“We know how important Highway 1 is to the regional economy, especially during the summer, so we are working to reopen the roadway as quickly and safely as possible while at the same time making it more resilient to future extreme weather events,” said Caltrans Director Tony Tavares. 

Since the March 30 slip-out that temporarily closed the roadway, Caltrans has conducted geotechnical assessments, widened andimproved drainage in the northbound shoulder area, placed concrete barriers along the centerline to channelize convoy passage, and hired a contractor to drill, install, and grout vertical rock dowels through the southbound lane pavement adjacent to the existing west edge of the roadway.

This will be followed by a longer phase of the work in which crews will drill, install, and grout horizontal rock dowels. Once thereinforcing dowels are in place, the repair design calls for crews to install reinforced shotcrete to the vertical face of the repair to help stabilize the roadway along the cliffside. The drainage improvements will also help the roadway better withstand extreme weather events, which are becoming more common in the area due to climate change.

The construction timeline is subject to change due to a number of factors, including wind and rain. Installation of the horizontal rock dowels requires a crane to hold a basket with crewmembers in it over the edge of the roadway. Winds cannot exceed 25 mph for these activities. The repair schedule may also be impacted by rain events and any change in site conditions.

Until Caltrans stabilizes Highway 1, it will continue using twice daily convoys to move only local residents and essential workers through the area. Limiting the volume of vehicles through the repair site helps to manage risks associated with conditions at the slip out and with emergency response. Once the roadway edge is stabilized, crews will install a temporary signal and open Highway 1 to unrestricted traffic under alternating one-way traffic control. One-way  traffic control will continue until further roadway work is completed and the roadway has cleared safety inspections.

Road information and updates can also be found on Caltrans District 5 Social Media platforms: Twitter at: @CaltransD5,Facebook at: Caltrans Central Coast (District 5) and Instagram at: Caltrans_D5.